What must students know and be able to do? Jot down your thoughts ACT Aspire Science What must students know and be able to do? Jot down your thoughts 5m

ACT Aspire Science Agenda December 4, 2014 3:30 Merts Your Thoughts: What Must Students Know and Be Able to Do? Introduction Self assessment of ACT CCRS Science Process Skills Analysis of Sample test via ACT Aspire website Share Your Analysis of Sample test skill requirements Progress Ideas Identify two skills to work on and Scavenger Hunt Share Summarize Feedback

HCS ACT Aspire Scores-Spring 2014 10m Connection between R, M, Sci, and Writing (These are inter-related – increase one and you should increase the other)

Act Aspire is vertically aligned to the ACT Act Aspire is vertically aligned to the ACT. ACT Science has same components as ACT Aspire just increases with complexity/rigor as you move up the chain. First hand knowledge: ACT Prep classes Grade 3-10 ACT Aspire Test is directly linked to ACT College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS)

Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science knowledge test. The ACT Science and ACT Aspire Science is probably the least understood portion of these type of assessments. Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science knowledge test. The ACT is not going to ask you to identify steps of cell division, balance a chemical equation, or determine the velocity of a moving object. Usually Everything you need to answer the questions can be found in the passage Because the ACT doesn’t penalize students for not taking a specific science course: Physics vs Chemistry and bac-kplanning was used to develop ACT Aspire based on ACT…. So it is basically critical thinking skills.

Advanced Knowledge in content areas is not usually required Background knowledge acquired in general science courses may be needed to answer some questions in upper grades. Tests do not, however, sample specific content knowledge with enough regularity to make inferences about a student’s attainment of science content. ACT Aspire stresses science practices over recall of scientific content, complex mathematical skills, and reading ability. Science Practice/Process skills are tested – the venue that it is tested in is the content – so the content (biology, physical sci, earth sci) varies but because it is the science process skills being tested – It should not adversely affect the child’s score if they do not have significant knowledge of the content.

Science passages vary widely in subject matter Biology; life sciences (earlier grades) Chemistry and physics (physical science for earlier grades) Earth/space science (astronomy, meteorology, geology) These topics only provide a framework for the passage; specific knowledge of these subjects are usually not required. Any specialized terms (often printed in italics) will be defined for you in the introductory lines of the passage. Definitions are often provided in italics and therefore prior knowledge of the content term is not necessary. Example: “larvae” is defined in grade 4 sample test

Format of the ACT Aspire 3 DOMAINS: Interpretation of Data Scientific Investigation Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results *Self Assess – On ACT CCRS handout – check off any standards that your students do on a weekly basis 5m Note the set up of the CCRS table… scores across top and progression of standard… and 3 domains. Also note that the handout does not include the ACT scores to the maximum (36) because the ACTAspire Science tested in grades 3-8 would not include items from the highest part of the range.

Computer Based Option For the Computer based test: here are the types and numbers of questions asked. Click on “Computer based option” to go to the ACTAspire website – click the Science tab

Analysis of Sample Test Go to tn.actaspire.org Username: science Password: actaspire Start test – then Click “Review” (upper left) 3rd -5th grade begin with question 25 6th -8th grade begin with question 1 As you answer each question, tally what skill is required 30m Go to website.. Have print copy available – Tally skills required as you take test – Have the ACT CCRS available. MODEL 2 Q. Show how to circle verb and Tally what skill is required.

When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of the tally Discuss/Share Your Analysis of What Students Must Know and Be Able to Do When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of the tally Discuss with partner what surprised you about your analysis and how this will affect your instructional plans http://padlet.com/pamela_vaughn/science 10m Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss – (point: science knowledge not required- science process skill knowledge is required)

Modifying Lessons to meet CCRS Think of one classroom activity that you’ve used successfully that either requires students to use one of the ACT Aspire skills or that helps students learn one of the identified skills. (Jot down notes about the activity) Think about how you could modify that activity to improve it based on your ACT Aspire analysis Share Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss

Ideas for Progress SCAVENGER HUNT: Identify 2 skills that you plan to work on next week then locate/bookmark a resource that you will use…. 6th - 8th grade: Pearson: “Interdisciplinary Activity - Program Resources- Editable Wks” http://www.commoncoresheets.com/BarGraphs.php (Charts/Graphs) http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf 3rd -6th grade : www.teach-nology.com - Worksheets –Math WKS – #30 “Reading Tables” http://www.mathworksheetsland.comhttp://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf 10m Share what resource they plan to use with their elbow partner

Questions for the ACT Aspire Science Test will generally ask you to use the following skills: Read, select, and interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs. Compare or combine data from different charts, tables, graphs, Extrapolate data (take info that is there and draw conclusions and make predictions about the results of additional tests or data) Compare and contrast opposing viewpoints Determine which Claim/viewpoint is valid based on data and text Translate information from a chart/text into a graph Use math Write explanatory text to convey information citing textual evidence Understand “good” experimental design What do we mean by “Good” experimental design? Control, variable, only one factor/variable changed/manipulated. Must DO science to understand science – conflicting viewpoints via peer review

Poll Everywhere Take Aways Was the learning today beneficial? What insights into teaching and learning did you gain today and how might you use this in your own work? Send text to 37607 Type in 633002 then enter your response Access Prior Knowledge

Two Act Aspire Science Sample Test Resources Computer Based Option Paper Based Option Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss

Additional Resources Used Avocet ACT College and Career Ready Standards Science of the 3 domains ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Ideas for Progress: 13-15 score range 16-19 range 20-23 range * These score ranges should provide a foundation for 3rd – 8th grade…Google for additional score ranges Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss